After nearly 2000 miles of travelling so far this season, the Stan only had to cross the Tyne & travel 8 miles to face Dunston for the 1^st time ever in league action. Unfortunately, although they deserved at least a point, the Stan’s 4 match unbeaten run came to an end. There were no changes from Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Sherwood Colliery.

Dunston started on the attack & the 1^st 20 minutes saw the Stan finding it difficult to get possession. In the initial 1^st minute attack, a penalty was awarded to Dunston for a high foot by Slaughter as a home player tried to head the ball in the box. The resulting 3rd minute penalty though was expertly saved by Brass who dived the right way. The Dunston possession continued & in 7 minutes one of their players passed from the left across the front of the Stan goal to an advancing teammate but Shepherd managed get back & position himself to prevent him putting the ball in the net & it went out for a goal kick. The Stan were trying to attack but to no avail, & in 13 minutes Dunston headed wide. In 21 minutes, Evans stopped a Dunston attack allowing Stephenson to counter attack & pass to the also advancing Lamb who returned the ball to Stephenson but his shot was blocked near the left post. This was the Stan’s 1^st clear attack & they started to get more into the game after this although Dunston still looked dangerous. In 30 minutes, a home shot deflected off Beattie for a corner but it could have gone anywhere. From the corner, Brass caught the ball which was then followed by a joined-up Stan attack although it ended with Lamb scuffing his shot. Dunston then shot just wide under pressure followed by another attack that was blocked by Shepherd. In 38 minutes, a ball up to the advancing Lamb was blocked by the home keeper & the rebound shot from a Stan player forced a great save from the keeper. From the resulting corner, there was a scramble in the 6-yard box resulting in Thompson forcing the ball into the net to make it 1-0 to the Stan in 38 minutes. 3 minutes later & Dunston were back on level terms when, from a corner after a great tackle by Evans, Swailes got up to head into the Stan net. In 43 minutes, Dunston were 2-1 up when a free kick into the Stan box was initially cleared but was sent back in towards the goal & was headed down to allow Devitt to kick it into the net. The Stan had some late pressure but they went into the break shocked by the late change in fortunes.

The Stan came out for the 2^nd half with their heads held high & started positively with 2 early corners. In 53 minutes, Dunston headed wide, but 2 minutes later Lamb won the ball & supplied Beattie who did a 1-2 with Richardson but was blocked in the home box. Although the Stan were keeping the pressure on, it was Dunston who had the next clear chance in 64 minutes when they headed just wide. The Stan then forced a block then a save by the Dunston keeper. The Stan were now looking more confident & stringing passes together. In 69 minutes, a speculative shot by Lamb forced the keeper to get down to save. Lamb had another shot blocked 5 minutes later. Soon after, a Stephenson free kick into the home box was missed by Shepherd under pressure. After more sustained Stan pressure, they got an equaliser in 79 minutes. Thompson sent the ball into the Dunston box & it was headed into the net by Burn who had only been on the pitch for 3 minutes. The Stan sensed the opportunity was still there to win the match & kept the pressure on Dunston including through 2 free kicks into the home box. In 85 minutes though it was Dunston who were in the lead when, from a corner, Swailes again headed into the Stan net against the run of play. The Stan resumed their pressure & Dunston headed a ball clear in 87 minutes. In 89 minutes though, Dunston came close to scoring again when a solo run saw a player shoot across goal but the ball went just wide under pressure. 8 minutes of added time saw the Stan try to attack but with no more goals coming even though the match ended with Burn shooting just wide.

Although Dunston had most of the possession in the 1^st half until its frantic finale which included 3 goals in 5 minutes, the Stan stepped up a gear at half time & were the better team in the 2^nd half. Unfortunately, due to clinical finishing from corners by Dunston, they returned over the water with no points. The Stan now have a long journey on Saturday to Nottinghamshire where they face Carlton Town.

Kevin Mochrie

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